And She Was Golden

and they accuse (as he suspects)

Draco,

Parks tells me you've been trying to replace me with a certain four-eyed git we all love to hate. I get it, the allure of The Chosen One, how can I ever compete? You're on thin fucking ice mate, I'm coming home to set you straight. Italy is getting dull anyway and I know Narcissa is already planning the annual Malfoy Winter Gala. It's going to be like the good old days again and I intend to enjoy the pretentious festivities to the fullest. I'm sure your mother misses me. It's hard being the favorite son but someone has to do it I suppose.

Congratulations on skipping Azkaban by the way...I hope you've told Granger exactly how thankful you are; or perhaps you've shown her.

I'll be seeing you soon. Don't forget that the position of Draco Malfoy's Best Mate is already taken.

-Blaise

o.o.o

The delicate sound of silverware tinkling across plates contributes to the peaceful aura surrounding the Malfoy family dinner. It was a welcome reprieve from the tense silences shared with their 'houseguests' the past few years.  He looks towards his father sitting at the head of the table. It's been difficult for him, without his wand.

The elves do their best but Draco has caught Lucius Malfoy reaching for something that's never there. The Ministry has some kind of trace on him, one step out of line and it's straight to Azkaban.

Does he regret it? The choices he has made?

A delicate "Ahem," from his mother breaks his train of thought.

There is a brief pause before she straightens. "I've decided it's time to reconnect with my sister."

The abrupt silence is deafening. Draco doesn't dare breathe. Mother glances at him and then at his father.

Lucius Malfoy sits at the head of the table, his expression stony as he considers her.

She laughs nervously, "It's time for a fresh start, to turn over a new leaf."

Reconnect with her sister. Draco often forgets that she even exists. The sheer mention of her has always been taboo. It made his grandfather angry and his mother sad.

Andromeda Black.

o.o.o

Draco loved it when he got to spend the weekend with his grandparents. It was always an adventure in their old Victorian house. A Black family property that would belong to him someday, according to his grandfather. It was as big as the Manor—so many new things to explore!

He always found something new whenever he visited; last time he had found an old portrait of one of his grandfathers. He had told Draco a great story, a tale about three brothers. Draco had been promised another anecdote when he visited again, but he couldn't quite remember where the portrait was.

He wandered around aimlessly in an effort to find it, finally stumbling across a room with yellow wallpaper. The place was crisp and clean but something about it told Draco that it hadn't been used in years.

He noted a deep blue tapestry hanging behind a settee, covering a large expanse of the wall. Draco walked towards it, realising it must be the family tree.

His father was always talking about how important it was to know one's history. Draco moved closer, ready to examine the bloodlines.

He quickly spotted the name Narcissa Eltanin Black with a thin silver line connecting it to Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. The line continued down to his own name; he traced the letters.